Analysis

Cracking foundations: How 2025’s summer drought is sinking UK homes

By 2025-07-16T07:00:00

Screenshot 2025-07-08 141928

Hotter, drier summers are leading to an increased risk of subsidence damage to UK properties and – with population centres in south east England most at risk – insurers will be wary of climate driven dangers

Subsidence – and its sister process known as heave – occur predominantly in clay rich soils. Clay’s mineral properties allow it to hold large amounts of water – changes in this volume of water, therefore, can cause ground movements. When clay soils become wet, they can swell and lift structures, leading to heave. Then, when they dry, they can shrink and fracture, leading to subsidence.

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